--The Cardinals, normally an excellent defensive team, committed two more errors to raise their season total to 17 in 17 games. But Tony La Russa also pointed out the Cardinals made several good defensive plays in Friday's game. "We're making a couple of errors here and there," said La Russa, "but overall, we have the same attitude and hustle defensively. You don't win games we've won if our defense is poor. We've had a couple of breakdowns but overall I like the way we're playing defense."
--With a 12-5 mark, the Cardinals have matched the start they had in 2008. RHP Kyle McClellan posted the bullpen's second victory of the season. Cardinals relievers are 2-4 and the starters are 9-1. --After Sunday's rainout and Monday's scheduled off day, the Cardinals are slated to play the maximum of 20 straight days before an off day on May 11 between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
BY THE NUMBERS: 98 -- Pitches over four innings that rookie RHP P.J. Walters threw in his major league debut.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He has good guts. And that counts for a lot." -- Manager Tony La Russa, on INF Brian Barden, who wedged his way into the lineup by playing strong defense and hitting three home runs in a span of five games.
